Jigsaw puzzle workboard with storage drawers

ABSTRACT

A rectangular wooden jigsaw puzzle workboard includes a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. The panel has a perimeter edge including a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. Four drawers are mounted along width of workboard to provide unique sorting, assembly and storage system for puzzle pieces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a game workboard for jigsaw puzzles and in particular it pertains to a useful game workboard for providing a jigsaw puzzle user with a convenient means of storage drawers to work on a puzzle while using a minimum amount of table space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that may require the assembly of numerous interlocking pieces. Each piece may include a small part of a picture on it. When completely assembled, a jigsaw puzzle reveals a complete picture.

Jigsaw puzzles often include thousands of pieces and assembly of such puzzles may take more than one day. Usually jigsaw puzzles (often referred to as puzzles) are built on a flat surface, such as a kitchen table or a card table having collapsible legs.

Several types of tables are already known to provide panels upon which puzzle pieces can be assembled and to provide means for constraining such pieces in predetermined positions for storage before completion of the puzzle. Examples of these types of devices can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,987,496; 3,550,945; 4,302,013; 4,479,651; 4,552,361; 4,142,726; and, 4,111,425.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,745 describes a work panel on which the puzzle pieces are assembled. This panel is made of wood or plastic and covered by a thin layer of tin or steel constituting a ferromagnetic base. A flexible magnetic cover sheet is hinged to one edge of the work panel and adheres to the thin layer of tin or steel all around the puzzle pieces to hold them in a desired relationship and against shifting during horizontal or vertical storage of the panel.

Generally, these known tables/holders have proven unsuitable for storage when made of a size to accommodate puzzles containing a great number of pieces. It is too big to be conveniently carried, moreover, it is difficult to move and store a puzzle without being damaged by an accidental bump or fall.

What is needed is a portable table having the required size larger than that of the assembled puzzle wherein, such table which has container to store puzzle pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is to provide a wooden rectangular game workboard that would allow the jigsaw puzzle to be moved when necessary and would store unassembled pieces in the drawer, thereby preventing loss of the puzzle pieces.

The present invention generally comprises a panel having an upper surface and a lower surface. The rectangular panel has a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. Four drawers are mounted on the bottom surface to extend away from both side edges.

Two collapsible H-shaped legs are attached to bottom surface of the panel to provide support to the panel in keeping horizontal orientation of the workboard.

The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty, which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of one embodiment of a jigsaw puzzle table according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention without collapsible legs;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention with collapsible legs.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a jigsaw puzzle table according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term ‘workboard’ refers to tabletop plateau made of quality woods combined with durable fiberboard providing support and surface for work.

The term ‘workspace’ refers to the working space available on workboard.

The term ‘panel’ refers to a flat wooden board made to form part of a surface.

The term ‘H-Shaped leg’ refers to table bases that include a cross bar between the uprights for added strength and stability.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-4 thereof, a game workboard, more particularly, jigsaw puzzle workboard embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 is described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 generally comprises a panel 12 rectangular in shape having an upper surface 14 and a lower surface 16. The panel 12 has a perimeter edge 18 including a front edge 20, a first side edge 22, a back edge 24 and a second side edge 26. A lip 28 is attached to and extends along the back edge 24 and the second side edge 26. The lip 28 is mounted on the periphery of the panel 12 and it extends upward to hold a puzzle 2 as it placed on the panel 12. The lip 28 is perpendicularly adjacent to the workspace of the workboard 10. The lip 28 defines an interior workspace for the containment of jigsaw puzzle game pieces. The lip 28 is secured to the game workboard by suitable chemical or mechanical methods such as but not limited to glue or wood screws. Although no specific length is required for the lip 28, good results have been achieved with a lip 28 that extends three-quarters of an inch (2 cm) in length above workboard 10.

Although it is not shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the scope of the present invention that a padded material could be substantially superposed on the lip 28 to provide comfort for the users arms while using the workboard 10.

Although it is not shown in the illustrated embodiment, it is within the scope of the present invention that a front edge 20 and second side edge 26 of panel 12 has no lip 28 attached, while, a first side edge 22 and back edge 24 has lip 28 perpendicularly adjacent to the workspace of the workboard 10. The embodiment provide comfort for the users arm while using the workboard 10 while seated at front edge 20.

Referring in particular to FIG. 1, the game workboard 10 as shown in the preferred illustrated embodiment is substantially planar and generally rectangular in shape. The game workboard 10 provides a horizontal support structure for the jigsaw puzzle game pieces during the assembly process of the jigsaw puzzle. Although good results have been shown with a game workboard 10 that is rectangular in shape, it is within the scope of the present invention that numerous other shapes of the game workboard 10 could be used to achieve the desired functionality as described herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the game workboard 10 could be circular in shape.

In preferred embodiment, the game workboard 10 is manufactured from a suitable durable material such as wood combined with durable fiberboard. In another embodiment, the game workboard 10 could be manufactured from plastic or fiberglass. In yet another embodiment, the workspace is made of non-slip felt surfaces to keep game pieces secure.

In a preferred embodiment, good results have been achieved with a game workboard 10 that is jumbo-sized measures 35.5″ in length×26.5″ in width (90×67 cm)×3″ to 4″ (7.5 cm to 9 cm) in height and standard sized measures 30″ in length×22″ in width (76×56 cm)×3″ to 4″ (7.5 cm to 9 cm).

The storing capacity of drawers vary as per varying sizes of the puzzle game pieces. In a preferred embodiment, the jumbo size fits most 1500 puzzle pieces and standard size fits most 1000 puzzle pieces.

The lip 28 is perpendicularly adjacent to the workspace of the workboard 10. The workspace of jumbo-sized measures 34″ in length×26″ in width (86×66 cm) and standard sized measures 28.5″ in length×21.5″ in width (72×54 cm).

Rim 50, as shown in FIG. 4 is attached to bottom surface at lower surface 16 of the panel 12.

A drawer 40 is mounted between panel 12 and rim 50 on the lower surface 16. The drawer 40 is positioned such that it is extendable outwardly away from the first side edge 22, and, the second side edge 26. This allows the drawer 40 to be removed while the workboard is positioned on the ground surface 4 without the drawer 40 striking the ground surface 4. Also, by being positioned along a side edge 22 and 26 of the panel 12, the drawer 40 is accessible by a user sitting by the front edge 20 by knob 42 attached.

Specific size of drawers are required to fit within the workboard 10. Good results have been achieved with a Jumbo-sized game workboard 10 that measures 17.25″ in length×11.75″ in width (44×30 cm)×1″ (2.5 cm) in height and standard sized measures 16.5″ in length×11″ in width (42×28 cm)×1″ (2.5 cm) in height.

Adjacent to the four corners of panel 12 the rim 50 has holes 32 on lower surface 16. Two H-shaped legs 30 are attached to rim 50 conventionally by hinges generally in each corner of the lower surface 16 on panel 12 at holes 32. The H-shaped legs 30 are collapsible. The collapsible legs 30, when positioned in the holes 32, support the panel 12 in horizontal orientation with respect to a ground surface 4 as shown in FIG. 4. In open position, as shown in FIG. 1, the legs 30 are substantially perpendicular to the workboard 10 and provide support thereof. The open position is the desired position for use of the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 during the assembly process. In closed position, the legs 30 are substantially parallel to the workboard 10. This position is desirable for storage and transportation of the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10.

The legs 30 are manufactured from a suitable durable material such as wood, plastic, fiberglass or metal. Although it is not shown in the illustrated embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous types of configuration of the legs 30 could be used.

In another embodiment, more specifically but not by way of limitation, the legs 30 could be manufactured of metal segments to form a telescoping leg. The telescoping legs on each corner could be independently adjusted of each other to achieve a desired length of the workboard 10. Telescoping legs would also allow the user to place the workboard 10 at an angle similar to that of a common drafting table to for assembly and display of a jigsaw puzzle game.

In yet another preferred embodiment, legs 30 do not have to be present for the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 to achieve the desired function of providing a horizontal support structure with a lip 28 for the containment therein of the jigsaw puzzle game pieces. The legs 30 are preferably optional extension to the game workboard. The legs 30 as shown in the illustrated embodiment would be detached from the workboard completely for storage and/or transportation of the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10.

Although the legs 30 are shown in the illustrated embodiment to be generally H-shaped legs, those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different shapes could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the legs 30 to achieve the desired function as described herein. More specifically but not by way of limitation the legs 30 could be cylindrical in shape. The length for the legs 30 is twenty-eight inches.

In use, puzzle pieces 6 are stored in the drawer 40 and the puzzle 2 assembled on the upper surface 14 of the panel 12.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous different shapes and colours of the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 could be used in place of and/or in conjunction with the shapes and colours suggested herein to achieve the desired function of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 could be used for numerous other hand games that comprise small pieces where it is desirable to have a support surface with the ability to contain the pieces of the game thereon.

The user will transport the game workboard 10 to a desired location. Upon reaching the desired location the user will rest the workboard 10 generally perpendicular with the floor. While supporting the workboard 10 generally perpendicular to the floor, the user will grab the legs 30 one at a time and extend each leg 30 to the open position as described herein. Once all legs 30 are in the open position, the user will then place the workboard 10 so that the workboard 10 is substantially parallel with the floor. The user will then place the desired jigsaw puzzle or other game pieces on the workspace of the workboard 10 and engage in the activity of sorting the game pieces in four drawers 40. Upon finishing, or when the user is ready to transport or store the jigsaw puzzle workboard, the user will fold the legs 30 in closed position while supporting the workboard. The user will then lift the jigsaw puzzle workboard 10 and transport to the desired storage location such as under the bed, sofa, desk etc.

In some embodiments, as best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the jigsaw puzzle workboard 210, similar to workboard 10, as described herein. Workboard 210 includes a panel 212 having a rectangular in shape having an upper surface 214 and a lower surface 216. The panel 212 has a perimeter edge 218 including a front edge 220, a first side edge 222, a back edge 224 and a second side edge 226. A lip 228, similar to lip 28, is attached to and extends along the back edge 224 and the second side edge 226. The lip 228 is mounted on the periphery of the panel 212 and it extends upward to hold puzzle 2 as it placed on the panel 212, as described herein.

A base 250 is connectable with panel 212, as described herein. One or more drawers 240, similar to drawers 40, is mounted with base 250. The drawer 240 is positioned such that it is extendable outwardly away from the first side edge 222, and, the second side edge 226.

Base 250 is connectable with panel 212 such that panel 212 is rotatable, for example, pivotable relative to base 250. Pivoting of panel 212 relative to base 250 provides access to drawers 240 and/or provides an angled working surface. In some embodiments, panel 212 is connected with base via a hinge 252.

In some embodiments, panel 212 includes an extension 260, as shown in FIG. 5. Extension 260 extends form surface 216 and in engageable with a portion of base 250, as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, base 250 includes recesses, for example, notches 262 configured for disposal of an end of extension 260. Disposal of extension 260 with notches 262 allows panel 212 to be selectively positioning, for example, angled, such that a user can adjust the orientation of panel 212 relative to base 250. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A game workboard, comprising; a base including four drawers, said drawers positioned such that two drawers are extendable outwardly away from first side edge; two drawers are extendable outwardly away from second side edge; a panel connected with the base, the panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, said panel having a perimeter edge including a front edge, a back edge, a first side edge and a second side edge, wherein the panel is rotatable relative to the base; and a pair of legs, each of said legs collapse downwardly from said panel; supporting said panel on a surface and in horizontal orientation with respect to the surface.
 2. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein four drawers positioned to extend outwardly away from workboard.
 3. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein two drawers positioned to extend outwardly away from first side edge.
 4. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein two drawers positioned to extend outwardly away from second side edge.
 5. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the panel is rectangular in shape.
 6. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the workboard has a length, a width and a height, wherein substantially, the length is 35.5-inches and the width is 26.5-inches and the height is 3 to 4 inches; and the drawers have a length, a width and a height, wherein, the length is 17.25-inches and the width is 11.75-inches and the height is 1-inch; and the drawers hold 1500 game pieces.
 7. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the workboard has a length, a width, wherein substantially, the length is 30-inches and the width is 22-inches and the height is 3 to 4 inches; and the drawers have a length, a width and a height, wherein, the length is 16.5-inches and the width is 11-inches and the height is 1-inch; and the drawers hold 1000 game pieces.
 8. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the drawer has knobs to extend outwardly from side edges.
 9. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, two collapsible legs are attached to bottom side of said workboard by hinges.
 10. The two collapsible legs according to claim 1, wherein, collapsible legs are H-shaped legs attached to bottom side of said workboard by hinges.
 11. The game workboard according to claim 9, wherein, the legs are detachable from the hinges of the bottom surface of said workboard.
 12. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein each of said legs collapse away from said panel, each of said legs providing support in a desired horizontal position.
 13. The game workboard of claim 1, wherein each of said legs are approximately 28 to 30-inches in length.
 14. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the panel is made of wood combined with durable fiberboard.
 15. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the panel is made of plastic.
 16. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the panel is made of durable fiberglass.
 17. The game workboard according to claim 1, wherein, the weight of said workboard is 15-20 pounds. 